Purify Your Home's Air: Breathe Easy Again

Air pollution is a serious issue that doesn't just affect us when we're outside. The air inside our homes can be polluted too, and this can have a detrimental effect on our health. From cigarette smoke to household chemicals, there are many things that can contribute to poor air quality in our homes. Fortunately, there are several ways to improve indoor air quality and reduce pollution. This includes increasing ventilation by opening windows and using fans, investing in air purifiers and plants, and being mindful of the cleaning products we use.

How to get rid of air pollution in your home

Ban smoking inside

Cigarette smoke is one of the most common indoor air pollutants. The residual gas and particles from cigarette smoke that settle pose health hazards, especially in rooms with a lot of fabric or carpeting. This is known as third-hand smoke. Secondhand smoke is also responsible for about 3,000 lung cancer deaths per year in nonsmokers, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. In the United States alone, exposure to secondhand smoke causes more than 41,000 deaths among nonsmoking adults and an estimated $5.6 billion in lost productivity each year.

To protect yourself and others from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, it is important to ban smoking inside your home. This includes not only cigarettes but also electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, and vaping devices, as these can also produce harmful aerosols containing nicotine, ultrafine particles, flavoring chemicals, and heavy metals.

If you are a smoker, you can take steps to quit smoking, such as seeking support from a healthcare professional or using nicotine replacement therapies. You can also create designated smoking areas outside your home, ensuring that smoke does not drift back inside through open windows or doors.

In addition to banning smoking inside, you can also improve indoor air quality by increasing ventilation and natural air movement. Opening windows and doors, when the weather permits, can help bring fresh outdoor air inside and dilute indoor pollutants. Advanced ventilation systems, such as energy-efficient heat recovery ventilators, can also be installed to improve indoor air quality and mitigate the costs of heating and cooling.

While houseplants are often touted as natural air purifiers, there is currently insufficient evidence to support their effectiveness in removing significant quantities of indoor air pollutants. Therefore, relying solely on houseplants to improve indoor air quality is not recommended.

Ventilate your home

Ventilating your home is an important way to improve indoor air quality. Opening windows and doors is an easy way to encourage a good exchange of indoor and outdoor air, which helps to dilute indoor pollutants. When ventilating your home, you should be mindful of the temperature outside and the pollen count, as these factors can impact the indoor air quality and your comfort. If it is too cold or the pollen count is high, you may opt for other ventilation methods.

One way to ventilate your home without opening windows or doors is by using fans. Local bathroom or kitchen fans that exhaust outdoors directly remove contaminants from the room and increase the outdoor air ventilation rate. Window or attic fans can also be used when the weather permits. If you have a window air conditioner, you can run it with the vent control open to increase ventilation and bring in fresh outdoor air.

In addition to these methods, you can also improve ventilation by using an air purifier or air filters. Air purifiers help to reduce impurities in the air, especially if you have taken steps to keep allergens and other pollutants out of your home. HEPA (high-efficiency particulate arresting) air filters are recommended by experts. However, it is important to note that air purifiers and filters should be used in conjunction with other ventilation methods and may not completely eliminate all indoor air pollutants.

To further enhance ventilation and reduce indoor air pollution, you can also try some simple fixes, such as attaching draft stoppers underneath drafty doors and taping window edges where there are drafts. These small changes can improve the efficiency of your ventilation system and help maintain good air quality in your home.

Avoid carpets

The use of carpets has been linked to reduced indoor air quality and adverse health effects. Carpets can trap pollutants and allergens like dust mites, pet dander, cockroach allergens, particle pollution, lead, mould spores, pesticides, dirt, and dust. Toxic gases in the air can stick to small particles that settle into carpets. These pollutants may become airborne during renovations, vacuuming, or even walking on the carpet.

Carpets in damp environments, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways, should be avoided as they provide a good environment for mould growth. Hard-surface flooring is recommended instead of carpets to reduce the presence of pollutants in the home.

In addition, certain types of carpets, including shag or other high-pile varieties, as well as carpets older than 10 years, typically have higher levels of pollutants and allergens. If a large area is covered in carpet, it may be challenging to remove indoor air pollutants and allergens effectively.

To maintain good indoor air quality, it is crucial to implement a proper cleaning and maintenance schedule for your carpets. Vacuuming with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter is recommended to effectively capture pollutants. Deep cleaning your carpets every 12 to 18 months is also essential to ensure optimal indoor air quality.

Use natural cleaning products

Using natural cleaning products is an effective way to reduce air pollution in your home. Conventional household cleaning supplies are a common cause of indoor air pollution, as they contain harsh chemicals that emit fumes, which can irritate the nose, mouth, lungs, and skin. These fumes can also cause inflammation, making it harder for people with chronic lung conditions to recover from infections and exacerbating inflammation caused by other triggers, such as allergies.

Natural cleaning products, on the other hand, are free from these harsh chemicals and can help to minimize the risk to your health. There are plenty of green cleaning companies that sell natural products that are just as effective as conventional ones, such as Branch Basics, Meliora, Dr. Bronner, Seventh Generation, and Healthybaby. You can also make your own homemade cleaning products using simple, natural ingredients like vinegar and water. For example, you can use a mixture of white vinegar and water to clean and disinfect surfaces, as vinegar is a natural disinfectant.

In addition to choosing natural cleaning products, it's important to ensure proper ventilation when cleaning. Open your windows to allow fresh air to circulate and help remove any pollutants that may be stirred up during the cleaning process. If you're sensitive to outdoor allergens, you can also try using air purifiers to help reduce indoor air pollution. However, it's important to choose the right type of air purifier, such as a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate arresting) air filter, as some air purifiers and aromatherapy devices can actually worsen air quality.

Another way to reduce indoor air pollution is to opt for natural gas or electric stoves instead of gas stoves. Homes with gas stoves have been found to have significantly higher levels of nitrogen dioxide, a major source of indoor air pollution. By switching to a natural gas or electric stove, you can help improve the air quality in your home.

Finally, be mindful of other sources of indoor air pollution, such as scented air fresheners, candles, incense, and perfumes. These products often contain chemicals that can contribute to indoor air pollution and cause potential health issues. Instead, opt for natural alternatives, such as essential oils or natural fragrances, to freshen the air in your home.

Get an air purifier

An air purifier can be a great way to reduce indoor air pollution, but it should be used in conjunction with other methods, as it won't remove all impurities. For example, it is important to ensure your home is well-sealed and insulated, as even the best purifiers may not be effective if your home is not properly sealed.

There are many types of air purifiers available, but it is important to choose one that is suitable for your needs. For example, if you or someone in your household suffers from allergies or asthma, it is recommended to get a purifier with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate arresting) filter, as these are better at capturing smaller particles. Air purifiers with built-in auto-sensors may not always be accurate, so it is a good idea to invest in an air quality monitor to test the effectiveness of your purifier.

It is also important to note that air purifiers need to be maintained properly to be effective. Most manufacturers recommend replacing the filters every six months, but this may need to be done more frequently if you live in a highly polluted area. In addition, it is important to keep your windows closed when the purifier is running, as air pollutants can enter your home within minutes if it is turned off.

Air purifiers can be a great way to improve the air quality in your home, but it is important to do your research and choose one that is suitable for your needs. They can be particularly beneficial for people with respiratory issues or allergies, but they should not be relied upon as the only method of air pollution control.

Frequently asked questions